HOT SPRINGS, AR– Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced the details of an agreement with Facebook, Inc. to expand the company’s Techstart program to all Arkansas public high schools. The Arkansas & Facebook Techstart Partnership was a first-of-its-kind partnership with the social media giant. Under the original agreement announced earlier this year, Facebook donated approximately 400 Virtual Reality (VR) classroom kits, including computers, cameras and the Oculus Rift equipment necessary to administer the Techstart program to approximately 250 schools. This new agreement will expand the donation to all of the more than 360 public high schools in Arkansas. In addition, each school will receive an Oculus Rift touch controller and 30 virtual reality viewers.

“Last year, after taking notice of Arkansas’ nation-leading computer science initiative, Facebook generously donated hundreds of Oculus VR kits to various high schools around the state,” said Governor Hutchinson. “Now Facebook has agreed to expand the program and will provide an Oculus VR kit and additional technology to every high school in the state.

“We are appreciative to Facebook for its continued efforts to generate excitement for STEM fields in Arkansas high schools. Facebook’s generous donation will provide Arkansas’ students with an exciting learning platform that will allow them to have fun while sharpening their computer science skills and exploring STEM careers. Students who utilize this incredible platform will be well-positioned to succeed in our increasingly technology driven economy.”

Techstart is a program developed by Facebook, Inc. that aims to give students access to high-quality computer science and virtual reality education in order to generate interest in computer science careers and provide instruction for students. Techstart uses a combination of virtual reality instruction, curriculum support and professional development for educators; access to computer science events; and connections to engineering mentors to provide a powerful tool for students.

According to the agreement, Facebook’s final donation will include more than 550 VR kits, and distribution and facilitation of these resources will be administered through the Arkansas Department of Education Computer Science Division and the Arkansas Public Resource Center. Facebook’s financial commitment to the #ARKidsCanCode Initiative will be in excess of $1.3 million.

Comments

If you have information that's relevant to the Four States area, we will publish it for you, <strong>free of charge</strong>. Instructions are at the bottom of <a title="Hyperlocal Marketing* – the Four States News Advantage" href="https://fourstatesnews.us/hyperlocal-marketing-the-four-states-news-advantage/">this page.</a>

More About

Texarkana, AR - The Texarkana Arkansas School District wrapped up election night this evening with a win for the district with the School Tax issue that will ensure a new school in the district. Supporters of the measure had stressed that the School Tax would not change with a win or a loss in the election; however, without the win there would be no funds toward the building of a new, needed school in the district. The unofficial counts showed 1,116 for the School Tax and 282 against the tax. Jesse Buchanan ran unopposed for the school board seat in Zone 3. There were two contested races, once for Zone 5 and one for Zone 6. Unofficial totals have Chrystal Marlar defeating Laney Harris by 246 to 184 for Zone 5. In Zone 6 the official totals has Roger Douglas defeating Lissa Henry by 109 to 57.

Miller County, AR- Many people let Veteran’s Day slide past last weekend without much notice, but the elected officials and staff at the Miller County Courthouse did not as they rose above their office duties to do more. In the middle of fall decorations, pumpkin contest, preparations for the Christmas season, and the recent influx of taxpayers taking care of taxes, officials and staff paused last Friday to honor veterans.

Texarkana, AR- In 2018, the world will recognize the 100th anniversary of the year that the first great worldwide conflict ended. It was called the "Great War", "The War to end all Wars," and eventually "The First World War," or "World War I". The war would originate in Europe and drag almost all nations into it. It would see the first major use of air power to gain an upper hand on scouting enemy troops and eventually the first air-to-air combat casualties would begin to pile up. It would be the last war to see any major use of cavalry troops and the first to see iron vehicles rolling to kill both troops and civilians. Trench warfare, only introduced in previous wars when armies were severely outnumbered, would become a normal day on the front. Gas would be used to kill troops, and the bertha gun, a fully automatic machine gun, would introduce the world to the ability to kill like never before. Despite all the stories, sometimes lost with the history of the second war, the surprising fact is that in 2018, it will be one hundred years since the guns went silent. The Arkansas WWI Centennial intends to ensure that the year is marked and remembered for generations to come. This Friday at 10:00 a.m. the Arkansas WWI Centennial will provide a memorial tree to Miller County, Arkansas. Working with the Arkansas Department of Heritage and the Arkansas Forestry Commission the Centennial tree will mark one hundred years since the end of World War I. According to Mary Beck with Texarkana, Arkansas the tree is a two-year-old Willow Oak. The trees have been offered to all counties in Arkansas on a first come, first serve basis.

Texarkana, AR- In 2018, the world will recognize the 100th anniversary of the year that the first great worldwide conflict ended. It was called the "Great War", "The War to end all Wars," and eventually "The First World War," or "World War I". The war would originate in Europe and drag almost all nations into it. It would see the first major use of air power to gain an upper hand on scouting enemy troops and eventually the first air-to-air combat casualties would begin to pile up. It would be the last war to see any major use of cavalry troops and the first to see iron vehicles rolling to kill both troops and civilians. Trench warfare, only introduced in previous wars when armies were severely outnumbered, would become a normal day on the front. Gas would be used to kill troops, and the bertha gun, a fully automatic machine gun, would introduce the world to the ability to kill like never before. Despite all the stories, sometimes lost with the history of the second war, the surprising fact is that in 2018, it will be one hundred years since the guns went silent. The Arkansas WWI Centennial intends to ensure that the year is marked and remembered for generations to come. This Friday at 10:00 a.m. the Arkansas WWI Centennial will provide a memorial tree to Miller County, Arkansas. Working with the Arkansas Department of Heritage and the Arkansas Forestry Commission the Centennial tree will mark one hundred years since the end of World War I. According to Mary Beck with Texarkana, Arkansas the tree is a two-year-old Willow Oak. The trees have been offered to all counties in Arkansas on a first come, first serve basis.

Texarkana, AR – Monday will mark the first total eclipse in the United States since 1918. Like many parents, I wondered what would be the safest thing to do. I thought about taking kids out of school, watching it on television or the Internet, or maybe just sending the approved glasses with the kids to school. I had asked that they find out what was being done at school. We had heard nothing until today when Texarkana Arkansas School District Superintendent Becky Kesler issued a statement.

Regional Scores

Facebook Pages & Groups

For access to our main Facebook page where new stories are always published - Facebook Page For access to our Facebook Group where anyone can post stories from any source in the four states area - Facebook Group

Follow Four States News

We Recommend

Texarkana, AR- In 2018, the world will recognize the 100th anniversary of the year that the first great worldwide conflict ended. It was called the "Great War", "The War to end all Wars," and eventually "The First World War," or "World War I". The war would originate in Europe and drag almost all nations into it. It would see the first major use of air power to gain an upper hand on scouting enemy troops and eventually the first air-to-air combat casualties would begin to pile up. It would be the last war to see any major use of cavalry troops and the first to see iron vehicles rolling to kill both troops and civilians. Trench warfare, only introduced in previous wars when armies were severely outnumbered, would become a normal day on the front. Gas would be used to kill troops, and the bertha gun, a fully automatic machine gun, would introduce the world to the ability to kill like never before. Despite all the stories, sometimes lost with the history of the second war, the surprising fact is that in 2018, it will be one hundred years since the guns went silent. The Arkansas WWI Centennial intends to ensure that the year is marked and remembered for generations to come.

Texarkana, AR- Texarkana Masonic Lodge #341 held an installation for the 2018 officers on December 14 at the lodge hall in Texarkana. The installation was open to family and friends with many from the community attending the event.